EMSA Publishes Final Reports On Alternative Fuels And Decarbonization Technologies

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has released the last two reports in a series of six, focused on alternative fuels and decarbonization technologies in the maritime shipping sector. These reports were commissioned from a consortium led by ABS, which includes CE Delft, Arcsilea, and Texas A&M University.

The latest reports offer an in-depth analysis of nuclear power and synthetic fuels, particularly e-diesel, e-methane, and e-methanol, as part of a broader project to support the European Commission, Member States, the shipping sector, and European ports in their transition toward carbon-neutral shipping.

Key Objectives and Findings

• The project analyzes the greenhouse gas impact, sustainability, availability, scalability, and techno-economic aspects of alternative fuels. It also delves into regulations, risk, and safety concerns associated with their use.
• The aim is to contribute valuable insights to the shipping sector’s decarbonization efforts, ensuring a smooth transition to low- and zero-carbon operations.

Statements from Project Partners

• Vassilios Kroustallis, Senior Vice President of ABS, expressed that the reports represent a significant body of work to advance the adoption of alternative fuels, which will serve as the foundation for the shipping industry’s future shift to more sustainable operations.

• Dagmar Nelissen, Senior Researcher at CE Delft, highlighted that the study on future fuels, including e-diesel, e-LNG, and e-methanol, provides a consistent comparison with previously studied fuel types and outlines the challenges ahead, particularly related to costs and scalability. Regulatory measures will be key to advancing these fuels.

• Dr. Debbie Thomas, Dean of the College of Marine Sciences at Texas A&M University, praised the project for advancing sustainability in the maritime industry, in line with the university’s mission to lead innovation in the blue economy.

• Edwin Pang, founder of Arcsilea, emphasized that the project developed a comprehensive body of knowledge that will aid in the safe adoption of these fuels and technologies.

The Project’s Four-Year Journey

• The project began in 2021 with the objective of exploring various decarbonization technologies for shipping, including biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen, wind-assisted propulsion, synthetic fuels, and nuclear power.
• This initiative is part of EMSA’s mission to provide technical assistance to the European Commission and Member States, aiding in the promotion of sustainable shipping and the transition to low-carbon and zero-carbon operations.